PEORIA, Ariz. —
Francisco Mejia is not just sitting around waiting to get better behind the plate, to secure his place on a major league team and become a viable major league catcher.
No, he is kneeling.
In an effort to receive and potentially block pitches better, Mejia is putting one of his knees down instead of squatting.
“It frees you up,” said Rod Barajas, the Padres’ quality control coach who works primarily with catchers. “You’re able to stay under the baseball, receive the ball better, give the umpire a better look.”
Primarily, the new body positioning allows Mejia to set his glove low and, thus, more naturally come up as he receives pitches.